George P. Pelecanos writes hard-boiled fiction. Despite the gritty tone and bleak atmosphere of these novels, his characters always find a glimmer of hope propelling them toward justice -- although sometimes also their own end. 1960s and '70s pop culture references create a strong sense of their lives. Drugs, gun control, and race in D.C.'s working-class neighborhoods are the focus. For lead characters in his respective Nick Stefanos, Marcus Clay and Dimitri Karras, and Derek Strange and Terry Quinn series, years of narrative time may elapse between books. Fierce, emotional plots resolve in just -- if violent -- endings. Start with: A Firing Offense

George P. Pelecanos writes hard-boiled fiction. Despite the gritty tone and bleak atmosphere of these novels, his characters always find a glimmer of hope propelling them toward justice -- although sometimes also their own end. 1960s and '70s pop culture references create a strong sense of their lives. Drugs, gun control, and race in D.C.'s working-class neighborhoods are the focus. For lead characters in his respective Nick Stefanos, Marcus Clay and Dimitri Karras, and Derek Strange and Terry Quinn series, years of narrative time may elapse between books. Fierce, emotional plots resolve in just -- if violent -- endings. Start with: A Firing Offense